Buddhism and Taoism have
a large local following, with more than
600 Chinese temples in the HKSAR. The
major festival is the Buddha's Birthday,
which falls on the eighth day of the fourth
month of the lunar calendar.
Buddhist and Taoist
deities are often honoured together in
the same temple. Leading deities include
Buddha, Kwun Yum (the Buddhist Goddess
of Mercy) and Lui Cho (a Taoist god).
Deified mortals such as Che Kung and Kwan
Tai are also revered in recognition of
their feats. Tin Hau, the Queen of Heaven
and Protector of Seafarers, is worshipped
widely and during the Tin Hau Festival,
which falls on the 23rd day of the third
lunar month, worshippers visit the famous
Tin Hau temple at Joss House Bay on Clear
Water Bay Peninsula. Other leading deities
include Pak Tai (Supreme Emperor of the
Dark Heaven and local patron of Cheung
Chau Island) and Hung Shing (God of the
South Seas and a weather prophet). Notable temples in Hong
Kong include the Wong Tai Sin Temple named
after a Taoist deity, in the Wong Tai
Sin District in Kowloon. Nearby, the Chi
Lin Nunnery in Diamond Hill is a group
of temple structures built in the architectural
style of the Tang Dynasty. The Po Lin
Monastery on Lantau Island is famous for
the Tian Tan Buddha, a majestic bronze
seated Buddha believed to be the largest
outdoor Buddha statue of this style in
the world. It attracts many visitors,
especially during weekends and holidays.
Other well-known temples include the Che
Kung Temple in Sha Tin in the New Territories,
and the Man Mo Temple in Hollywood Road
on Hong Kong Island. |